We use cookies to collect general visitor statistics but not personal information. Privacy policy

Birds of the Bible - part 1

Bible overview
Photos of birds mentioned in the Bible.
Contributed by FreeBibleimages
Story also available on our translated websites: Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, German, Hindi
1
Doves in Jerusalem. <br/>In the Bible a dove brought good news to Noah (Genesis 8:8,10) and was an emblem of purity (Psalm 68:13). <br/>It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2, Matt. 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, John 1:32); also of tender and devoted affection (Song of Songs 1:15, 2:14). <br/>David in his distress wished that he had the wings of a dove, that he might fly away and be at rest (Psalm 55:6-8). <br/>Photo credit: Russavia. – Slide 1
2
Turtle Dove In Hayarkon Park, Tel Aviv. A turtle-dove was one of a only a few birds that could be offered in sacrifice, as they were clean, according to the Mosaic law (Gen. 15:9, Leviticus 5:7, 12:6; Luke 2:24). <br/>Photo credit: Alon Rozgovits. – Slide 2
3
Eagle (Griffon vulture) in Gamla Reserve. <br/>Known to for its swiftness of flight (Deuteronomy 28:49, 2 Samuel 1:23), its mounting high in the air (Job 39:27), its strength (Psalm 103:5), its setting its nest in high places (Jeremiah 49:16), and its power of vision (Job 39:27-30). <br/>Photo credit: Elad Saporta. – Slide 3
4
Eagle (Griffon vulture) over mount Carmel, Israel. <br/>The eagle is also a symbol of those nations whom God sends to bring destruction (Matthew 24:28, Isaiah 46:11, Ezek. 39:4, Deuteronomy 28:49, Jeremiah 4:13, 48:40). <br/>Photo credit: Artemy Voikhansky. – Slide 4
5
Greater Spotted Eagle in Israel. <br/>God’s care over his people is likened to an eagle training its young to fly (Exodus 19:4, Deuteronomy 32:11-12). <br/>Photo credit: Greg Schechter. – Slide 5
6
Golden Eagle. <br/>The eagle sheds his feathers in the beginning of spring, and with fresh plumage assumes the appearance of youth (Psalm 103:5, Isaiah 40:31). <br/>Photo credit: 0x010C. – Slide 6
7
Egyptian vulture over Mount Hermon, Israel. <br/>Found in Israel only during summer it also known as a ‘Pharaoh’s chicken’. Its name is derived from a root meaning 'to love', probably because the male and female bird never part company (Leviticus 11:18, Deuteronomy 14:17). <br/>Photo credit: מינוזיג – MinoZig. – Slide 7
8
Vulture over Mount Carmel, Israel. <br/>A keen-sighted bird of prey distinguished for its rapid flight (Leviticus 11:14). They are numerous everywhere in Israel apart from the three winter months (Isaiah 34:15). <br/>Photo credit: Artemy Voikhansky. – Slide 8
9
Hawk - lesser kestrel, Israel. <br/>The Hebrew word hawk includes various species of falcon and kestrel (Leviticus 11:16, Deuteronomy 14:15). <br/>Photo credit: מינוזיג – MinoZig. – Slide 9
10
Night Hawk. <br/>It occurs only in the list of unclean birds (Lev. 11:16, Deuteronomy 14:15). The Hebrew word has the root meaning 'to scratch or tear the face'. <br/>Photo credit: Andreas Trepte. – Slide 10
11
Osprey. <br/>An unclean bird according to the Mosaic law (Lev. 11:13, Deuteronomy 14:12). <br/>Photo credit: מינוזיג – MinoZig. – Slide 11
12
Cuckoo in Israel. <br/>The common cuckoo feeds on reptiles and large insects and only passes the winter in Israel (Leviticus 11:16 and Deuteronomy 14:15). Some say it cries 'Yakub' and call it 'Jacob’s bird'. <br/>Photo credit: MPF. – Slide 12
13
Common Cranes, Israel. <br/>A migratory bird well known in Israel (Isaiah 38:14, Jeremiah 8:7). It has a distinguished loud voice, its cry being hoarse and melancholy. <br/>Photo credit: Greg Schechter. – Slide 13
14
Cormorant. <br/>In Hebrew the Cormorant means 'plunging,' or 'darting down’, and is part of the same family group as the pelican. It is listed among the 'unclean' birds; (Leviticus 11:17, Deuteronomy 14:17). <br/>Picture credit: Bengt Nyman. – Slide 14
15
Mother hen with chicks. <br/>Hens were common among the Jews in Israel (Matthew 23:37, Luke 13:34). The hen is only mentioned in passages where Jesus laments over the impending destruction of Jerusalem. <br/>Photo credit: Fir0002. – Slide 15
16
Rooster at Zoological Centre, Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan. <br/>The rooster has become a symbol of Peter's betrayal of Jesus (Matt 26:34, Mark 14:30, Luke 22:34, John 13:38). <br/>Photo credit: Staselnik. – Slide 16
17
Slide 17